Minister to visit Costa Rica, Ecuador as envoy to presidential inauguration

Bang Ki-sun, minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, will visit Costa Rica and Ecuador this week to strengthen bilateral ties and attend the inauguration of Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa, his office said Tuesday. Bang will visit Costa Rica on Wednesday and Thursday to meet with the country's foreign minister and discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation across all areas. From Friday to Saturday, he will visit Ecuador to attend the inauguration of reelected President

May 20, 2025

S. Korea, US, Japan hold talks to reaffirm 'unwavering' commitment to trilateral cooperation

Diplomats from South Korea, the United States and Japan convened their trilateral secretariat managing board in Washington on Monday to reaffirm the three countries' "unwavering" commitment to advancing three-way cooperation, the State Department said. Yi Won-woo, deputy director-general for North American affairs at Seoul's foreign ministry; US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia and Taiwan Kevin Kim; and Akihiro Okochi, deputy director-general for Asian and Oc

May 20, 2025

S. Korea, US to hold 2nd round of working-level tariff talks in Washington this week

South Korea and the United States are scheduled to hold a second round of technical discussions in Washington this week regarding the latter's sweeping tariff scheme, as the two sides are working toward forging a "package" deal by early July, officials said Monday. A South Korean government delegation is expected to depart for Washington around Tuesday to engage in the talks, which could begin as early as Tuesday, according to officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The two si

May 19, 2025

Herald, AGA, KAF to co-host Africa Day 2025

Herald Media Group will co-host Africa Day 2025 Korea in collaboration with the African Group of Ambassadors representing 19 countries and the Korea-Africa Foundation, under the theme "Building Bridges, Creating Opportunities." The event will highlight progress in economic diplomacy with a business forum and a cultural gala in the evening. The first session, titled "Korea-Africa Business Forum," will explore pathways and strategies for mutual growth amid global uncertainties and supply chain dis

May 15, 2025

APEC trade ministers' meeting kicks off on S. Korea's Jeju Island

A trade ministers' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member economies kicked off Thursday on South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju to address challenges the global trade is facing amid the rise of protectionist policies. The APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting will be held through Friday at the International Convention Center in southern Jeju, under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper," according the Seoul's Ministry of Trade, Ind

May 15, 2025

USTR Greer arrives in Korea to attend this week's APEC trade ministers' meeting

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer arrived in South Korea on Wednesday to attend a trade ministers' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member economies and meet with Seoul's trade chief this week. Greer arrived at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, around 6:10 p.m., but left the airport without taking reporters' questions. Greer is set to attend the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, slated for Thursday and Friday at the International Convention Center on

May 14, 2025

Expert notes need for S. Korea to persuade China not to create conflict in Taiwan Strait

A security expert in the United States underscored the need Tuesday for Seoul to make diplomatic efforts to persuade China not to cause conflict in the Taiwan Strait, noting that it would be increasingly difficult for South Korea to avoid getting involved in a potential Taiwan contingency. Ellen Kim, director of academic programs at the Washington-based Korea Economic Institute of America, made the remarks, calling attention to the potential role of the 28,500-strong US Forces Koreain a continge

May 14, 2025

Bessent says S. Korea presented 'very good' proposals in trade talks before election cycle

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that South Korea put forward "very good" proposals in bilateral talks over trade and other related issues before the Asian country's election cycle kicked off, as Seoul is seeking to secure exemptions from new US tariffs. Bessent made the remarks during a Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh as Seoul and Washington have been conducting trade consultations with a focus on tariff- and non-tariff measures, economic security, investment cooperation and

May 14, 2025

S. Korea, US customs authorities hold high-level talks to boost cooperation

The Korea Customs Service said Tuesday it held high-level talks with the US Customs and Border Protection last week to enhance bilateral cooperation between the countries' customs authorities. The meeting took place in Washington, DC, on Friday between Park Hun of the KCS, and Ha Sung-h of the CBP and other officials, the KCS said in a press release. The talks were arranged in response to the South Korean government's efforts to address challenges posed by the US tariff policies introduced under

May 13, 2025

S. Korea, Malaysia set to hold 9th round of FTA negotiations in Kuala Lumpur

South Korea and Malaysia were set to hold their ninth round of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement on Tuesday, as the two sides seek to broaden their trade portfolio and enhance cooperation, Seoul's industry ministry said. The latest round of talks for an FTA was scheduled to kick off in Kuala Lumpur for a three-day run, involving some 70 trade officials from the two countries, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The countries are seeking to make progress in ei

May 13, 2025

US-China trade deal gives countries chance to seek deals without being singled out as choosing sides: expert

A trade deal between the United States and China gives other countries a chance to negotiate their own deals without being singled out as taking sides between the two superpowers, an expert said Monday, as South Korea and other countries are trying to reach agreements with Washington. Following high-stakes negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, Washington and Beijing announced the deal to temporarily reduce tariffs for 90 days. Under it, US tariffs on Chinese goods will be lowered to 30 percent fr

May 13, 2025

[Bridge to Africa] Kenya urges Korea to fast-track maritime, mineral cooperation

Kenya is calling on Korea to deepen maritime and mineral cooperation through accelerated technology transfers, said Hassan Ali Joho, Kenya’s Cabinet secretary for mining, blue economy and maritime affairs, in an interview with The Korea Herald. “We are looking for Korean support in building infrastructure for fisheries, training human resources, transferring fish processing technologies and advancing the blue economy through expert collaboration,” he said. Joho was in Busan to attend the 10th Ou

May 12, 2025

Keep Europe high on Korea’s agenda, says outgoing EU ambassador

Outgoing European Union Ambassador to Korea Maria Castillo Fernandez called for Korea to continue keeping Europe high on its diplomatic and strategic agenda, marking the 75th anniversary of Europe Day in Seoul on Friday. Under the theme “Partnering for Peace and Security,” the day celebrated 75 years since the historic Schuman Declaration, a 1950 speech by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman that laid the groundwork for European integration by proposing a European Coal and Steel Community. Re

May 12, 2025

Korean faith leaders look to Pope Leo XIV’s message of peace as hope for still-divided peninsula

Following the election of Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, 69, as the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, Korean religious leaders across denominations have extended messages of congratulations and reflection on Friday. Their responses highlight shared hopes for social renewal, interfaith cooperation amid profound global challenges and a lasting peace — both in the world and on the Korean Peninsula. Archbishop Chung Soon-taick, head of the Archdiocese of Seoul, called the new po

May 9, 2025

New Pope Leo XIV likely to visit Korea in 2027

Following tradition, it is highly likely that newly elected Pope Leo XIV will visit South Korea with Seoul confirmed as the host city for World Youth Day 2027. The visit may also rekindle hopes for a historic papal trip to North Korea — something that remained unfulfilled under Pope Francis. On May 8, the Vatican’s conclave elected Pope Leo XIV, an American-born prelate with experience in Latin America and a background in missionary work. Born Robert Francis Prevost, he is 69 years old. If Pope

May 9, 2025